Parking meter



June l0, 1952 w. N. WOODRUFF 2,599,881

PARKING METER Filed May 5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 WILLIAM N `/roo UFF BY J HIS ATTORNEY June 10, 1952 w. N. WOODRUFF 2,599,881

` PARKING METER Filed May 5, 1949 5 sheets-sheet 2 INVENToR. WOOD FF *l 07 HIS ATTORNEY June l0, 1952 w. N. WOODRUFF 2,599,881

PARKING METER Filed May 5. 1949 l 5 sheets-sheet s IN VEN TOR.

WILLIAM N. OUFF BY WZ, A/ (ja C HIS ATTORNEY W. N. WOODRUFF PARKING METER June l0, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 5. 1949 A INVENTOR. WILLIAM N. WO R F HIS ATTORNEY June 10, 1952 w. N. WOODRUFF PARKING METER Filed May 5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. WOO UFF BY j d HIS ATTORNEY Patented June 10, 1952 PARKING METER William Woodru, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Herschede Hall Clock Company, a corporation of Ohio Application May 5, 1949, Serial No. 91,453

7 Claims. l

This invention relates to time measuring apparatus, and more particularly to signals for indicating that a period of time has expired.

An object of the invention is the provision of a simple, reliable and highly satisfactory signal for use on vehicle'parking meters or the like for indicating the end of a time period for which a clocking device has been set to operate.

Another object of the invention is that of providing an easily operated signal which is Well suited for operation in conjunction with a time clock.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a sensitive, Well-balanced signal for operating to and from position relative to a viewing window such as the clock hand viewing window of a vehicle parking meter.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a simple and readily operated signal for giving a visible indication of the expiration of a predetermined period of time, which device is well-balanced for sensitive operation to and from indicating or signalling position in accordance with the particular position of a clock hand.

Another object of the invention is the `provision of a compact and reliable signalling device for use within the confines of a vehicle parking meter casing.

Another object is the provision of a coin-operated tlme-metering device having effective signalling mechanism for indicating the expiration of a predetermined time period paid for by the insertion of one or more coins or tokens.

A further object of the present invention is that of providing a vehicle parking meter having a signalling device which readily brings an indication to view at the expiration of a paid-for parkingperiod and which promptly carries the indicator out of view upon additional money being paid to the meter for another parking period.

Other objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part pointed out more fully hereinafter.

The invention, accordingly, consists in the combination of elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts, as disclosed herein, the scope of the application of which is indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing representing a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figures 1 and 2 are elevations respectively representing opposite sides of a vehicle parking meter and windows in these sides, exposing fixed time scales with pointer means at the beginning of a clocking period:.

Figures 3 and 4 are fragments of that side of the meter depicted in Figure 1 and respectively denote different relative positions of the corresponding time scale and pointer means, the position in Figure 3 more particularly representing the end of a legal parking period and the accompanying display of a violation indicator, and the position in Figure 4 representing an overtime period wherein the violation indicator remains displayed;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line V-V in Figure 1 to illustrate certain parts of the meter and more particularly features of the signalling device;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the meter signalling device and related pointers, this as seen by cutting away the meter casing along the line VI-VI in Figure 5;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are vertical sectional views taken along the line VII--VII in Figure 5, and more especially represent different relative positions of the signalling device and pointer means; and

Figure 10 is an exploded View illustrating certain features of the meter timing mechanism and coin-operated re-set.

Like reference characters denote like portions or parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of the present invention, it may be noted at this point that vehicle parking meters. or other metering apparatus or instruments, have heretofore been provided to operate from a given setting or position to another position calling for a re-set. There are parking meters which, for example, are useful along the curb of a city street for clocking a predetermined parking period as applied to the occupancy of a parking zone by a motor vehicle.- Many of these meters have a clockwork mechanism which is'driven by a spring motor, the latter illustratively being wound periodically by a city-employed attendant or automatically by an operating lever which is primarily useful for re-setting the meter. Other meters illustratively are of an electrical kind which employ an electric motor or a solenoid for driving the clockwork. The more favored of the parking meters in present-day use give a visual showing of the allowed parking period. This period, for example, may be derived up to a certain maximum limit of parking time, by the payment of money as in the form of coins or tokens through a coin slot in the wall of the meter casing. Contingent upon the payment of the money. these meters are manually or automatically` set to clock off a certain period of time representing the amount of time purchased or perhaps, an amount adding to unexpired time already paid for. The allotted time is usually shown at a window in the meter casing where, for example, the position of a pointer is visible in relation to the purchased parking -time marked on a dial or clock face.

A Variety of the parking meters heretofore employed, actually provide a graduated time scale at the meter window so as to show, as with the aid of a pointer, the amount of time remaining before expiration of the set time period. This scale sometimes goes beyond zero time remaining, and with the aid of the pointer gives a visual representation of a certain overtime period, which perhaps may be a period of grace. In many of the meters, where for example it has heretofore been desirable to represent the amount of Yparking time paid for or the amount of time remainingvonce payment has been made, signals are provided to serve the function of indicating violation or the end of the parking period. These signals have such value as to facilitate the policing of the metered zones of e a city and tend to discourage or prevent overtime parking. A great number of the signals heretofore employed in metering devices have proved to be extremely intricate in mechanism and frequently introduce heavy loads resisting operation by the meter or clockwork portion. Some of these signals jam or foul up the operation of the meter, and, accordingly, require fre- "quent attention and repair. There are others which greatly disturb or delay the timing action of the clockwork, such as where an overtime period is to be clocked or where the last few minutes of the parking time are yet to elapse. Still others interfere with the re-setting action of the meter pointers when a new time period is linitiated and thus disturb smooth meter operation. -An outstanding object of the invention, accordingly, is the provision of a mechanically simple and reliable parking violation signalling Adevice which satisfactorily co-functions with the meter time-measuring mechanism, an indicator portion of this device being readily moved between several positions upon a small change in force. A

Referring now more particularly to the practiceo'f thepresent invention, Vattention is directed to the accompanying drawing wherein `there is generally indicated at I a vehicle parking 4meter which comprises a signal, and clockwork mechanism for operating the signal after 'a coin or token is paid to the meter. The signal Ywhich is provided includes an indicator Gli, the latter preferably comprising spaced substantially parallel plates El and 62 (see Figure 5) made, for example, of lightweight metal such as `aluminumor aluminum-magnesium alloy. Plates 6I and 62 Vof the indicator are held together, as intermediate their ends, by a lateral strut 63 for unitary movement. The strut, for example, is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. It advantageouslyhas a channel-shaped main lbody .portion 63a, and outer ends 63h and 63o (see Figure 6) in the form of integral tabs which are substantially normal to the main body portion. These tabs 63D and 63C, respectively, abut the yinside surfaces of the indicator plates l6I and .62 and are fastened to these members as by .rivets or soldering, the assembly thus, forexam- :ple,Y .being substantially Hshaped, wherein the plates 6I and G2 are the outer portions and strut e3 is the inner or cross portion.

A casing of the meter Ii! houses the signal and timing mechanism. In opposite walls of the casing, and near the top thereof, are windows 89 and 96, as for example of the same size and shape and in substantial alignment with each other. These windows illustratively are made of glass, and the panes are affixed in any suitable manner to the corresponding adjacent portions of the casing. Window 8.9 conveniently is in a panel 8S, which latter may be removed from the main body of the casing for access to the inside, such as for installation or removal of the signal and timing mechanism as a unit. This panel advantageously has a lock 86a for preventing access to the inside of the meter except by authorized persons who have a key. Similarly, the meter casing 85 comprises a coin box door QI which has a lock Sla for security. This door conveniently gives access to a money or token box (not shown) inside the casing, the box illustratively being disposed beneath a lcoin admission opening Bl and coin display opening 96, both in the casing 85. A mounting stub 94, such as can be inserted and anchored in vthe end of a hollow port or the like for curb parking use of the meter I, conveniently is at the lower portion of the casing B5.

The windows U9 and 9G preferably display clock faces or time scales 92 and 93 which `are visible outside the casing 85. These scales are inside the casing and, for example, are secured to the latter above arcuate upper edges of the windows 89 and Si) respectively, by a suitable number of screws 92h and 93h or the like. The time scales illustratively descend down into view as upper arcuate margins in the windows. Each scale, for example, comprises five twelve-minute periods representing in total an hour of ordinary parking time, and then ends with an overtime period of say ten minutes. The entire scale illustratively is graduated by divisions, each representing two minutes of time.

For denoting time on the scales 92 and 93, there is provided a pointer 3c which, for example, comprises 'an arm 33. At the upper end, this arm conveniently supports a laterally 'extending cross-piece Sii having upturned ends 35 and 36, the latter being Vhands behind the windows 89 and'il and individually below the respective scales 92 and V93 for movement relative to the same so that the 'relative positions may be viewed from'outside the meter ID through the windows. The `lower end of arm 33, for example, is fast on a shaft 32 along with a gear segment SI, the shaft illustratively being journaled at its respective ends in substantially parallel plates I2 and I3 of a frame 20 which supports a clockwork mechanism of a time clock for operating the pointer 3b. The frame l20 is mounted in any suitable manner within the meter casing S5 such as by bolting to the walls rof the latter, `plates I2 'and I3, for example, being fixed approximately parallel to windows 89 and 98 and arm 33`being disposed between .the plates and rotatable as Va unit with shaft `$52 to sweep the hands 35 and 36 from end to end of the -cor responding scales 92 and 93.

The indicator 5c of the meter signal ris pivotally mounted for moving the indicator plates SI and [i2 to Aand from view at the respective windows S9 and 99. Thus, for example, vduring a 'regular parking period and before expiration of the same, the plates 6I and t2 illustratively occupy a relatively high position and are substantially out of view through the windows 89 and 90, as represented in Figures 1, 2, 6 and.7. After the regular parking period, the plates 6l and 62 illustratively occupy a lower position and exhibit the word Violation through the meter windows (see Figures 3, 4, 8 and 9) and from behind the hands 35 and 36, to denote that the parking period has expired.

To afford a base `for the pivotal movement of indicator 60, there is employed a support 64, vfor example, channel-shaped in cross-section to give iianges 64b and 64o. This support conveniently fits laterally between plates I2 and I3 of the frame and is rigidly fastened at the flanges 64b anddc in the vicinity of its lower end to these plates as by screws G5. At upper' end, the support 54 is pivotally connected to an' arm Bil which carries the indicator 6o. The arm 66 preferably is in the general form of a channel and, for example, has a width slightly greater than the support 64 (see Figure 5). That end of the arm which is next to the support advantageously has its web 65a cut away for a suitable distance to leave portions of iianges @Stili and 56e respectively overlapping the iianges 64b and talc.` A shaft 6l extends through aligned openings in the flanges of support 64 and arm 66 for pivotally connecting the same. This shaft is free to rotate relative to the several flanges just mentioned and illustratively is enlarged or has a head portion 61a outside the flange 65e. An operating lever 68, which will be more fully described hereinafter, conveniently has a boss 62a receiving the shaft 61 immediately inside the flange 64e and is fastened to this point by a set screw 68h through the boss for unitary rotation with the shaft. The boss 68a and head 'ia thus conveniently serve to hold the shaft B1 to position in the assembly.

The outer end of arm 66 is connected to the indicator 60 for raising and lowering this indicator by rotation at shaft 6l. This-connection between the arm and indicator preferably is a pivotal connection and preferablyisnformed by a shaft 69 interconnectinginturned ears 63d and 63e (see Figure 5) of the lateral strut 63 and the flanges Stb and Etc of arm 66. For this purpose, the ears vand iianges conveniently have aligned perforationsthrough which the shaft 69 passes, the shaft il-lustratively being bent out of alignment atvits end to prevent slipping away from the connecting position.` A In pivotally connecting indicator do with the outer end of arm ce, I prefer also to employ a stabilizing link 'iii between the -indicator and supported. This link advantageously is substantially parallel to arm 56, and is so pivoted to the supporti and indicator GD as to maintain substantial parallelism of its pivotal connections with those of the arm. In this manner, for example', the indicator 6B is effectively carried to occupy upper, lowerand intermediate positions, all of which are substantially parallel. The link illustratively has one end pivotally interconnectedwith flange 64e (see Figure 6) by a shaft 7l, the latter extending through an opening in that end of thelink and through aligned openings in the flanges 64b and Gde somewhat above the shaft 6l.

The pivotal connection between link lo and indicator 6o preferably comprises inturned ears G3i and 63g of the strut 63 which have openings therein for a shaft 13. Link 'lil has an opening to receive this shaft and, for example, is'disposed inside ea1',63f, An offset tongue .100; of the link (see Figure 6) abuts the outside of 'ear 63j to maintain the link against displacement along the shaft. Also, shaft 13 illustratively has its outer ends bent out of alignment to prevent escape from the ears.

A detent 12, which will be described more fully hereinafter, illustratively comprises a boss 12a and, for example, is on the shaft 1l. the boss conveniently having a set screw 12b to secure the detent for rotation with the shaft. Boss 12a is disposed immediately inside the flange 64e, and a head or enlargement l la of shaft 1I outside the link 7B, cooperate to retain the pivotal connection of the link and support 64.

The radial length of arm 56 from the pivot on shaft 6l to the pivot on shaft 69, is substantially equal to the radial length of link 10 from the pivot on shaft 'H to the pivot on shaft 13. Thus, the pivots of the arm 66 and link 10 adjacent to indicator 6l! can move up and down in a rectangular carriage system and. accordingly, avoid tilting the indicator SU.

Arm 66 preferably has a substantially rectangular opening 'l5 through its web 65a so as to decrease the weight of this member. The opening 15 illustratively is bordered along its length by remaining portions iisg and 66h of the web, these portions respectively forming angles with flanges 66h and ttc. Bordering the width of the opening are remaining rails 65a and 66g' of the web, these portions respectively being adjacent to shaft 67 and shaft 89 and, for example, about parallel to the same.

The indicator 60 in the present embodiment is biased to its upper position, represented by Figures 1, 2, 5 and 7, and maintains this position until actuated for lowering. The upperposition is achieved by the spring It which extends from a tip 12d on detent '.12 to the rail 669 of arm 66. It is maintained in this position against the action of gravity by spring 1S. The indicator 60 is maintained in its uppermost position until the operating lever 68 and shaft 67 are given a clockwise rotation. At that time the indicator follows the edge 68j under a combination of the action of gravity and the action of spring T! to a lower position as under the guidance of the parallel carriage system including arm Se and link lil. Pusher means 33a, such as a lug aiiixed to the upper end of arm 33, conveniently servs to rotate the operating lever 8B and shaft Bl to effect the lowering of the indicator 6D.

In the indicator lowering action, it is preferred to employ means for delaying downward movement of the indicator, eventually to make the lowering action more positive and forceful. For this purpose, there preferably is employed the detent 72 which, as previously mentioned, is conveniently disposed on shaft 'll for rotation with the latter. The detent preferably is a lever having a notch T211 toward the outer end, forming a latch 12C for passing under rail 661 of the arm 66, thus to hold the arm, and accordingly the indicator Bil, in the up position for substantially instantaneous release.A The latching effect in this instance is made positive by the spring 1G extending from hooked engagement with a tip 12d on the detent to hooked engagement with rail 657 of arm 66. Spring 'I6 serves to bias detent 12 and shaft 'H in favor of clockwise rotation in Figure '7 and, accordingly, forces the notch 12b and latch 12e to their holding position relative to the rail 6611 The operating lever 68 advantageously in, cludes means for releasing the detent 12 and for this purpose illustratively has a lug 68e disposed onthe .opposite side of shaft y6'! from `the tip 68d. This lug .68e is suited for striking a'projection 12e of .detent 12, the projection being on theopposite side of shaft 1| from tip 12d. l.In this manner, for example, a clockwise rotation of operating lever 68 from the Figure 7 position by the pusher means 33a brings the lug 58o into contactagainst projection 12e, thereby rotating the detent 12in a counterclockwise direction and releasing vlatch 12e from beneath rail E61'. .Spring 'I1 thereupon is eiective for quickly pulling the indicatortlto lower position represented .in Figures 3, 4 vand 8. In this, it isaided by the additional tension provided by the rotation of the operating lever. Also, the arm 66 in moving downwardbuilds up tension in-spring 16, but this acts upon a somewhat shortcned movement arm and the resultant force on the indicator frame is not sufficiently strongto prevent the lowering action. The lowering action actually is aided by the force of gravity on indicator 6U and its supporting frame.

A stop 64j (see Figure 6) extending out from flange 34h of the support 64 conveniently arrests flange Bb of arm 6E when the indicator i60 is lowered to the position represented in Figure 8. After this, the operating lever 63 and shaft 61 illustratively may be rotated further in a clockwise direction by the pusher means 33a, thus separating edge 68j from contact against the underneath side of rail 562 and further increasing the tension in spring TI. Likewise, detcnt 'I2 and shaft 'II illustratively are driven further in a counterclockwise direction by lug 63e, thus slight ly increasing the tension in spring "56. This further movement illustratively occurs during the overtime parking period, the nal positionof the several parts after this movement being represented in Figure 9.

Upon freeing operating lever 58, as from the position occupied in Figure 8 or Figure 9, by clockwise movement of the pointer means 30, the spring 'Il becomes ineffective upon the operating lever contacting free rail 652' and the spring 16, there is permitted to raise the indicator back to position represented in Figure 7 as described above. Spring 'i5 is effective to rotate detent"|2 and shaft 'Il in a clockwise direction to seat the latch 12e under the rail 661, thus once more lockingthe indicator GU in the up position.

The clockwork mechanism of the meter IU illustratively is the same as that employed in the parking meter disclosed in U. S. Patent 2,289,838 of July 14, 1942, in which patent I am (zo-inventor. Likewise, the meter IE) illustratively includes the same coin actuated re-setting mechanism for the clockwork driven pointer. Thus, the meter I comprises a motor I4 for the clock, such as a motor having a spiral spring housed in a barrel providing a power output gear it, has a wind-up shaft I conveniently journaled in the plates |2 and i3, and is disposed between these plates. The shaft illustratively is restrained against one direction of rotation by a ratchet and pawl arrangement or the like whereby the spiral spring oi the motor may be wound lby rotation of the shaft in the other direction to store power Afor driving the spring barrel and related power output gear I6. Supported by the ,frame 2B, and driven by output gear I6 is a gear train indicated generally at I8. The last component of this gear train is an escapement I9 for controlling'motion of the clockwork in accordance with elapsing time.

Theshaft 32, to which arm 33. andfgear segment 3| are fixed, is biased by a spiral spring 31 or :the like l(see Figure 15) which lllustrativeiy has .oneend anchoredfat outer end .to the iplate l2. This springbiases the .shaft in favor of rotating arm 33 :and hands.:35 .and 36 clockwise in VFigure .7 during -re-setting of the meter for clocking .a .new .period of time. The .spring T31 is wound by rotation of the sha-1232 in the :other direction, such as during connection of the shaft with motor I4, which :connection now will be more fully explained.

yA clutch shaft 4| vsubstantially paralleito .the shaft32 :ofthe pointer means 30, is ljournaleclin plates I2 and I3. :Fixed to rotatewith the clutch shaft are'two gears, fone Ya gear 40 engaging the gear segment 3 I, .and the other a clutch gear v43. Also, there.are'rotativelyfloo'se gears 42-and 44 on the clutch shaft, these gearshowever being fixed against longitudinal fdi'splacementfand connected to feach-otherffor unitary rotation. vI'I'he rotatively loose Igearv42 fis coupled withthe :gear train I8 and, accordingly, is driven Aby the same as vwell as is the rotatively loose gear V44, the latter'being a clutch gear having the same `diameter as xed clutch gear 43 and :having teeth alike to this gear. The twoclutch gears 43 and 44 are close enough together to be engaged by an idler gear 45 which locks them together for unitary operation. This idler gear is rotatably mounted on a lever 4B pivoted to the plate |2 s o as to fall by .gravity into engagement with the clutch Agears -43 and 44 and to be locked in the lengaging position by an upwardly `biased trip lever y4`| whlch'canfbe depressed by a suitable linkage (as describedin the Patent 2,289,838) `operated -by introducing a coin or a token into the meter I0. When de pressed, the trip lever '41 lowers a hook 48 from holding 'relation with a pin 49 on the idler gear lever, thus freeing the idler gear 45. In view of this movement the gear segment 3| exertsa driv ing action upon gear 40 lwhich is transmitted to shaft 4|, and to the -clutch gear 43 which is fixed to this shaft. The rotary movement of these parts lproduces a reaction von the idler gear 45 and, therefore, the gear andits supporting lever arethrown away from 'the clutch lgears 43 Iand 44 leaving these disconnected. This general action represents a re-setting operation of v'the clock hands 35and 36-to the vposition represented in Figures land 2. While the re-set is occurring. the rotatively loose gears 42 and 44 remain substantially unaffected except for being in driven relation with the clock train 8. When vtheresetting is achieved, the coin or Atoken releases the linkage 'which until then heldthe trip lever 41 lowered. InV being biased, the trip lever 'rises bringing hook 48V up Vto locking -contact against the pin 49. The idler gearmeanwhile returns to engagement with the'clutch gears 43 and '44, thus restoring the ydrive of 'the motor 'I4 on the pointer means 30. The motor drive isachieved through gears 42 and 44 which now are coupled through idlerggear 45 to gear 43'andfaccordingly, a rotation of the-shaft 4| Vand gear 40 occurs, thus vdriving gear segment 3| Aand the .pointer means 30` for a parking period of vsay seventy minutes duration, the `last 4ten minutes of this time being' the'overtimef-parking period. At the end Q f the rstsixty minutes. actuation means, such as pusher 33a, illustratively is effective to urge clockwise rotation of operating lever 68 and shaft G1 and, accordingly, the release of 'latch 12cm-om rail 661', 'The indicator $0, accordingly. falls-to expose the plates 6I and 62 to view through windows'g and 90, as'represented in'Figure 3 Ior'the window 39 .and plate 6|. At 'the end of the overtime period, for example, the pointer meansv 30 or any other suitable movable portion of the clocking apparatus brings suitable stop means into arresting relation to the gear train I8 so as to stop the clockwork, the plates 92 and 93 remaining exposed to view throughout this period. This stop means 50 likewise is displaced to freeing position when the pointer means 3i! is re-set from the end of a full run, the re-setting, for example, being initiated by means of a coin or token which brings about release of the idler gear 45 in the manner already described. In this, the pusher 33a rotateswith the hands 35 and 36 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 9l and, in the course of travel, releases the operating lever 68 for counter-clockwise rotation with the shaft 6l as prompted by springs 16 and 11. The indicator 60, accordingly, raises carrying its plates 6I and B2 out of View from the windows 89 and 90. The clockwork thereafter is free to operate under the force of the motor I4 to measure a new period of parking time and becomes effective in this respect when the idler gear 45 once more interlocks the clutch gears. The pointer means 30, accordingly, is driven counter-clockwise in Figure 7 back to where pusher 33a once more brings down the indicator v(i0 by contact and displacement of the operating lever 68. The hands 35 and 36 may, for example, be re-set to clock a new period of time from any of their positions in returning from Figure 2 position to the position represented in Figure 4. Should the re-setting be undertaken between approximately zero and ten minutes overtime, the indicator 60 is raised as an incident to the re-setting. In re-seting the hands 35 and 36 from positions between about zero and sixty minutes regular parking time, the indicator e@ conveniently remains unaffected.

Thus, it will be seen that in this invention,

there is provided a time meter signal in which the various objects noted hereinbefore together with many thoroughly practical advantages are achieved. It will be seen that the signal is capable of carrying indicator means therein to any of several positions and that the carriage means employed is thoroughly effective and readily operated.

While considerable emphasis has been placed upon the use of a support attached to the timing mechanism frame to support the meter indicator, it will be understood that at times the signal which is provided has support elsewhere than on this frame", as directly on the inside wall of the meter casing so that the timing device and timing mechanism may for example be separately installed and removed.

As many possible embodiments may be made of this invention and as many changes may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore set forth` it will be understood that all matter described herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not as a limitation.

Iclaim:

1. A time meter signal, comprising, in combination, indicator means, a support for the indicator means, pivotal means connecting said indicator means to the support for substantially rectilinear up and down movement relative to the same, means urging said indicator means to the up position, detent means for restraining said indicator means in the up positiony spring means biasing said detent means to said restraining position, means for releasing said detent means and freeing the indicator means for down-- ward .movement and spring means connected with the detent releasing means for-biasing said indicator means to the down position and for biasing said releasing means against the release of said Vdetent means.

2. A time .meter signal, comprising, in com bination, indicator means, a support for the indicator means, pivotal means connecting said indicator means to the' support for up and down movement relative to the same, detent means for restraining said indicator means to the up position, spring means biasing said detent means to said restraining position and also urging said indicator means to the up position, means for releasing said detent means and freeing the indicator means for downward movement, and spring means connected with the detent -releasingmeans and suitedl for building up tension for pulling down the indicator means with operation of the detent releasing means to freeing position relative to the detent means.

. 3. A time meter signal, comprising, in combination, indicator means, a support for the `indicator means, spaced substantially parallel links pivotallyV connecting said indicator means to the support for-substantially rectilinear up and `down movement relative to the same, spring means urging said indicator means to the up position, detent means for 'restraining said indicator means in the up position, lever means operative through a distance to release said detent means and release the indicator means for downward movement and with further movement establish tension in said first-mentioned spring means for upwardly urging said indicator means, and spring means for biasing said lever means away from releasing said detent means and suited for building up tension for pulling down said indicator means, the tension being developed during operation of the lever means to release the detent means.

4. A time meter signal, comprising, in combination, indicator means, a support for the indicator means, pivotal means connecting said indicator means to the support for up' and down movement relative to the same, a latch for engaging said pivotal means in the up position of the indicator means for restraining the latter to this position, spring means for biasing said latch to the restraining position and also urging said indicator means to the up position, a lever operative through a distance to release said latch and free the indicator means for downward movement and establish tension in said spring means, and spring means biasing said lever away from releasing said latch and suited for building up tension for pulling down said indicator means, the tension developed in the iirst-mentioned spring during operation of the lever to release the detent means exceeding that developed in the second-mentioned spring.

5. A vehicle parking meter, comprising, in combination, a casing having at least one window therein, timing mechanism within the casing and including a pointer movable at timing rate in front of said window, indicator means, a support for the indicator means, pivotal means connecting said indicator means to the support for up and down movement relative to the Same before and away from said window, a latch for engaging said pivotal means in the up position of the indicator means for restraining the latter to this position, spring means for biasing said latch to the restraining position and suited for tensioning with lowering of the indicator means,

a: leven operative'` bycontact` by said' timing penter teI release said'flatchv and free the indicater means-foridownward movement, and spring connected with said 'Ieverandsuited for building up tension for pulling downsaid indicater mesma-theKV tension being developed in said 'irstmentionedv spring'A during operation. ofY the lever-Eto release said'. latch exceeding that (developed in the second-#mentioned spring.

A vehicle parking meter,v comprising'incom lzinationf,A a casing*having` atv leasty one Window threimtiming! mechanism-Irwithin' the. casing aandll'nelu'ding a-p'ointerfformeasuring parking timealong a scaleat the-window', meansfor setting; said pointerf to-l initial position.V relative tu' sal'ciiscale r for 'clocking Va parkingperiod `upon the' payment of money -tol tliemeter, .indicator means inside-said casing; a support for the indlatoif means;l pivotal meansV connectingfv said i'im'zlieator` meanstol the supporti for` substantially rectilinear dovvnandA upA movement-of said .indicater means-te and fromview behind said Window; means urging saidv` indicator means away from-view behind said Window, detent means restraining said` indicator means in said' position, aniimeans contacted by said' timing pointer for releasing' 4said detent means at therend of said parking period andi permitting said indicator to drp' into View, and permitting said indicator to rise ontfoi" View under the action of said urginfg means. upon operation of said setting means!movingV the' pointer awayH from contact wtlisa'idmeans.

'Lf-A12 vehicle parking meter, comprising., in cembnatm al casing Shaving-at least` one windowl therein, timing',- meohanismr within` thesesingf and: including; 'ai pointer :for measuring parking;` time;airingjaitimelscaleai: therwindow; indi;- cator means inside :said casing.; parallel. linkage means pivotall'yv mounted' in sardi.` casing.,r4 and supporting.l said indicator means for substantially rectilinearA up and?. down; movement. in front of said Windowg detentmeans for restrainingfsai'd parallel linkage. means inithe 11p-position of, 'said indicator meanssprng. means biasing said "detent means 'to restrainingposition and also. urging said parallel. linkage means to said up posi.- tion, and means" contacted by the. pointer at the expiration of' a predetermined parkingn time. for releasing said datent means-and` freeing the parallel linkage-means for downward movement o! the indieator'means.

WILLIAM N; VGODBUFF REFERENCES 'Y CITED? The followingleerences .are of'record in the le of this. patent:

UNITED. sTATEsPA'i-ENTS- Number Name Date 2,078,136 Crumnr Apr. 20, 1937 2,137,111 Hale et al. Nov. 15, 1938 2,152,577 Weaver Mar. 28, 1939 2,289,838- Herschide et al. July 14, 1942 2,311,242 Michaelsv Feb. 16, 1943 FOREIGN AH-PJIEISI'ZCS:V

Num-ber Countryy Date 593,812 France! June 6', 1925 

